In tomorrow's Townsville Bulletin, there is an article about charging $10-15 a vehicle to stay at the now free camps North of the city. They are conducting a survey to gauge the feelings about the proposed change.
Currently the vote seems to be around 30/70 for/against, with comments why turn these people away when they mainly buy from small shops near by?
Unfortunately there a number of campers who cannot read (maximum stay is 48 hours), others who make a mess that they expect someone else to clean up after them. Some of the latter are back-packers (from observation).
Members of the forum who use these facilities might want to express their feelings to the council, Tnsv Bulletin ( letters, texts).
Eaglemax said
11:14 PM Jan 21, 2020
Speaking as a couples pensioners that free camp 90% of the time, I think we can mix it up with locations like that and cop the cost.
Especially if a dump point is reasonably close and maybe water.
If that is affordable for us then most other travellers should find that reasonable also. Singles might find it more of a burden though.
Bagmaker said
08:34 AM Jan 22, 2020
The good majority made to pay for the few bad again?
Why not just fine the ones who create the issues?
Dougwe said
08:38 AM Jan 22, 2020
I filled out a survey already Warren. I think one problem is the over staying the 48hr limit. I know of a couple of members of this forum that overstay or did anyway.
Hope you and Pat are well. Townsville is my my sites but still a few months away at this stage.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
Eaglemax said
10:47 AM Jan 22, 2020
Bagmaker wrote:
The good majority made to pay for the few bad again? Why not just fine the ones who create the issues?
One of the problems with local Government nowadays is accountability and profitability.
In regard to this issue my guess is that policing free camps for campers going beyond the 48 hour limit might be a drain on resources. An extra local laws officer to be employed even part time to carry out such routine attendance, take down registrations etc daily maybe several camps. Then there could be complications. eg a van with backpackers is noted there, 72 hours goes by and the inspector returns to notice they are there again, that doesnt equate to them camping there for the full time excess of 48 hours. They could have (and likely claim to have) left, gone touring after the first day then returned- hence not there for more than 48 hours continuously.
I'm not being pedantic, just being realistic based on my working experience in these fields. Being illegal and being prosecuted for a law breach are two different things even if you know they are guilty, the onus is on you so you have to have your case bullet proof. Is a backpacker going to be worried about a fine? He/she would be if their passport/visa was temporarily cancelled until they paid up- the system doesnt cater for that though.
So who pays for the extra staff? Ratepayers. What is the more effective solution? - charge all campers a fee.
Tony
-- Edited by Eaglemax on Wednesday 22nd of January 2020 10:48:58 AM
Warren-Pat_01 said
02:55 PM Jan 22, 2020
Howdy chaps,
It was just an advice note - after I read Today's Bulletin last night (by subscription
We're still in Canberra - heading to Toowoomba next weekend.
Hey Doug,
how about we swap? I visit your daughter, you - our daughter in Warrnambool & son in Canberra!! We'd save a lot of travelling!!
-------------------------------------------
Luckily (for me), our son (David) took his new (just 12 month's old) car to work two days ago but later he suggested I put my car in the garage (stuck out an inch, so I couldn't shut the door completely. We went shopping & just arrived home in time for the hail!!! David's car will be repaired so we found out this morning. It will have a lifetime, while he owns it, warranty on the repairs. New roof, new bonnet, lots of small dents to be panel beated & taillight lens to be rpcd.
From what we've seen he got out of severe damage quite well, only minor damage to the house; the garden???
The Burdekin Regional Council is not going to change their policy. They are keeping their free camping even after pressure was put to have a monthly permit system at Plantation Creek.
Concerns have been raised as to how to collect a fee without incurring extra charges to do it.
TCC want to use the same system as NP&WS - a system that is flawed if you have a break down, decide to stay at your current location for some reason, have no internet (or signal) & of course they do not offer a refund if you can't make it!!
msg said
01:54 PM Jan 24, 2020
CANBERRA: LOL TRANSIT VANS sure are tough. Mine suffered about 3 dents only. Very Minor. Even solar panels are still working. Son's WRX parked up beside it is a mess.
In tomorrow's Townsville Bulletin, there is an article about charging $10-15 a vehicle to stay at the now free camps North of the city. They are conducting a survey to gauge the feelings about the proposed change.
Currently the vote seems to be around 30/70 for/against, with comments why turn these people away when they mainly buy from small shops near by?
Unfortunately there a number of campers who cannot read (maximum stay is 48 hours), others who make a mess that they expect someone else to clean up after them. Some of the latter are back-packers (from observation).
Members of the forum who use these facilities might want to express their feelings to the council, Tnsv Bulletin ( letters, texts).
Why not just fine the ones who create the issues?
Hope you and Pat are well. Townsville is my my sites but still a few months away at this stage.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
One of the problems with local Government nowadays is accountability and profitability.
In regard to this issue my guess is that policing free camps for campers going beyond the 48 hour limit might be a drain on resources. An extra local laws officer to be employed even part time to carry out such routine attendance, take down registrations etc daily maybe several camps. Then there could be complications. eg a van with backpackers is noted there, 72 hours goes by and the inspector returns to notice they are there again, that doesnt equate to them camping there for the full time excess of 48 hours. They could have (and likely claim to have) left, gone touring after the first day then returned- hence not there for more than 48 hours continuously.
I'm not being pedantic, just being realistic based on my working experience in these fields. Being illegal and being prosecuted for a law breach are two different things even if you know they are guilty, the onus is on you so you have to have your case bullet proof. Is a backpacker going to be worried about a fine? He/she would be if their passport/visa was temporarily cancelled until they paid up- the system doesnt cater for that though.
So who pays for the extra staff? Ratepayers. What is the more effective solution? - charge all campers a fee.
Tony
-- Edited by Eaglemax on Wednesday 22nd of January 2020 10:48:58 AM
It was just an advice note - after I read Today's Bulletin last night (by subscription
We're still in Canberra - heading to Toowoomba next weekend.
Hey Doug,
how about we swap? I visit your daughter, you - our daughter in Warrnambool & son in Canberra!! We'd save a lot of travelling!!
-------------------------------------------
Luckily (for me), our son (David) took his new (just 12 month's old) car to work two days ago but later he suggested I put my car in the garage (stuck out an inch, so I couldn't shut the door completely. We went shopping & just arrived home in time for the hail!!! David's car will be repaired so we found out this morning. It will have a lifetime, while he owns it, warranty on the repairs. New roof, new bonnet, lots of small dents to be panel beated & taillight lens to be rpcd.
From what we've seen he got out of severe damage quite well, only minor damage to the house; the garden???
Any other people suffer damage?
Concerns have been raised as to how to collect a fee without incurring extra charges to do it.
TCC want to use the same system as NP&WS - a system that is flawed if you have a break down, decide to stay at your current location for some reason, have no internet (or signal) & of course they do not offer a refund if you can't make it!!